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Meeting Date:	09/12/2016
K9 Donation Acceptance
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to approve acceptance of a tan female Belgian Malinois canine (K-9) named Milka X417 (Birthday 02-20-2014; Microchip Numbers: 900085000239662 and 642090000534463) from the U.S. Department of the Army for narcotics and currency detection purposes; with authorization to utilize forfeiture funds to cover veterinary care, materials, and supplies; and any other matters incident thereto. The canine (K9) was donated, the training was provided at no expense, and veterinary care, food costs, and needed materials/supplies are to be paid utilizing forfeiture funds.

Issue: The Laredo/Webb County area is designated as part of the South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is considered, "one of the most strategically significant cross-border drug smuggling corridors" (U.S. Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Market Analysis 2011). The 2011 report by the U.S. Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center further states that, South Texas HIDTA region has a greater influence on national-level drug trafficking and drug availability than does any area along the U.S.-Mexico border" (Drug Market Analysis 2011).

Solution: Acceptance of the donation of a Canine (K9) from the U.S. Military to acquire the K9’s services to assist Webb County Sheriff’s Office deputies with interdiction and other crime-fighting services in the Laredo/Webb County area.

Result: Requested K9 will assist the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to fight crime and in securing evidence to build narcotics and money-laundering cases.

Background:

The submission of this agenda item is required by Webb County Administrative Services. This tan female Belgian Malinois canine (K-9) was donated to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office by the U.S. Department of the Army. K9s serve as highly skilled, invaluable assets that can assist local law enforcement agencies with needed illegal trafficking interdiction, especially in the South Texas region.

Previous Court Action:

The acceptance of a donation of a difference canine (K-9 Denzo) that was given to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office by the Department of Army was approved by the Webb County Commissioners’ Court on April 14, 2014.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	170-2001-6706
Funding Source:	Canine Expenditures
Balance:	N/A
Financial Impact:
Canine (K9) related expenses are limited in scope. This canine is a donation from the U.S. Military, and, thus, has been acquired at no cost to Webb County. Furthermore, the training of the K9 handler is also being provided at no cost to Webb County. The only future expected canine expenditures are to be taken from federal forfeiture funds (Department of Treasury) for veterinary services, minor supplies/equipment, and associated food costs.

Attachments
Milka
Milka